Ex-Rooster now flying with Comets

FORMER Sydney Roosters flyer McConckie Tauasa is an exception to the rule that you have to move south to make it on to the biggest stage of the NRL.

Tauasa has arrived in Rockhampton looking to continue his promising career with the Central Comets in next year's Queensland Cup competition.

Still only 20, Tauasa brings with him plenty of finals experience after two powerful seasons with the Roosters. He was a member of the Roosters' Premier League side which lost to Parramatta in last season's decider and was one of the stars in the club's record-breaking Jer- sey Flegg team, which went through the 2004 season undefeated.

Tauasa, who grew up in Penrith and was put on a rugby league scholarship with the Panthers by the time he was 14, said his move north to the Comets was about making a name for himself in the Queensland Cup.

The Comets' NRL alignment with the North Queensland Cowboys was another big influence for the strongly built centre, who represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2003.

Comets coach Matt Parish said Tauasa had already impressed club officials with his strong work ethic.

"We firmly believe he's got his best football in front of him,'' Parish said.